Trapeze pre-empts Sanditon TV tie-in books

Trapeze has pre-empted a non-fiction tie-in for new ITV Jane Austen drama “Sanditon”, alongside a novelised version of the show.

Sam Eades acquired world rights in all languages through Shirley Patton at ITV Studios Global Entertainment. Sara Sheridan’s The World of Sanditon and Kate Riordan’s novel Sanditon will both be released in the autumn. Trapeze are partnering in the USA and Canada with Grand Central Publishing for both titles.

They will both follow Andrew Davies’ eight-part TV adaptation of the unfinished Jane Austen work which is being produced by Red Planet Pictures for ITV and Masterpiece. Written months before Austen’s death, it follows main character Charlotte Heywood as she moves away from her country home to the fishing village of Sanditon.

Patton said: “I’m thrilled that Red Planet’s clever adaptation of Sanditon, with its fabulous scripts and beautiful still photography, has provided the brilliant opportunity to license a non-fiction tie-in and a novel – perfect for Austen addicts and costume drama fans of all ages.”

Sheridan is the author of Victoria and Albert: A Royal Love Affair (St Martin’s Press) and creator of the Mirabelle Bevan mysteries, while Riordan is a writer and journalist who wrote The Girl in the Photograph (Penguin) among other novels.

Phoebe Morgan, editorial director at Trapeze said: “'Sanditon’ is an incredible story and we’re so lucky to have both Sara and Kate on board, both of whom have written brilliant books that will accompany this iconic series. The show will be everywhere come autumn, and I can’t wait to see Austen’s work come to life with the talented ITV team and our authors.”

Alex Jones, joint m.d. at Red Planet Pictures, added: “Red Planet are delighted to have collaborated with Trapeze to produce these books which will be great accompaniments to the series we have produced for ITV. The world of ‘Sanditon’ is so rich and vibrant it’s wonderful to be able to extend the world beyond the series.”